Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-10-20

agonies of jealousy.
II don't think Earl and Bess spoke
the next trip, nor the next, nor the next.
/ The stranger was still at the Bush house.
knew from the turn affairs had taken.
or were taking, that Earl and Bessie's
wedding was Of Although he had never
told me as much, knew that it couldn't
be otherwise. n
''The next trip we made was Earl's
wedding night He had on his oyeralls,
and was unusually solemn and morose, not
speaking TO or even looking at me during
the run Of fifty miles. Twas on the point
once or twice of asking him if this was
not his wedding night but / did not,
knowing too well that it was either in
definitely postponed or off forever.
when we stepped into the office that
night old Bush met us at the door.
Il ife minute too late, poysn he ex-
claim. ed, grasping both our hands at the
same time.
"'WhyY Is supper oyer?" asked.
No, no; plenty nv supper, ne reblied,
still holding our hands. 'Extrie supply
NV supper. Der yedden'! der veddin'
watts shust happen"
The wedding!' asked Earl and 1,
III Il Of 5dlus w no 5 UQdFFl6u!
"'Why, mine Bess and Mr.. Eubanks,
NV course. Dey takes der bridal trip
terectly
''Eari fell back in dismay, Poor fell
low! l had felt all day as though l knew
this would happen.
'Bess marriedr he gasped, looking as
white as sheet, as he clutched my hand.
Yes answered the seemingly j7bi-
liant German, 'und dey leaf on your train
ternighd.'
"'Ah!' answered Earl as he strobe back
to his engine. Tender her my congratu-
laions.'
"ThGt was all he said.
"What had he resolved uponY"
81 went in to supper, feeling about as
badly as Earl, l imagined, for was real
ly sorry for him. There were the bride
and groom, looking as happy as couple
could look.
"'Where is Mr.. Wendall, Uncle rom.
ny? asked Bess, as I walked in.
"What should l say?
He's not coming TO supper TO night,
L replied; he is not feeling WE'LL
"'l'm sorry,' was her comforting re-
ply
~ congratulated them, as under the
circumstances | was compelled to do, but
I could better have wrung the williams
neck for l had come to the conclusion
that he was a william.
81 came out to the train with the bride
and groom. They got on the coach at
tached to the freight, put on as ar &C
comodation for passengers. | went on
down TO the engine, and found Earl sit
ting upon the box with his face buried
in his hands. He was the very picture of
des pair. A dark scowl overspread his
countenance. As l climbed upon the en-
CINE a low groan escaped his tightly
closed lips. Poor Earl What could do
or say to cheer him up in this hour of his
utter despair While ] was thus think
ing, knowing not what to say, fearing l
might wound instead of comfort him, he
suddenly turned upon me with a look /
shall never forget. His eyes, usually
bright and sparkling, were now flashing
fire. He had nursed his wrath as long as
he could, and now it burst forth in all its
fury. His teeth chartered and his face
was livid with rage.
"'Where are they he asked, grasping
the throttle of his engine
They have bearded the train | an
swered, in as quiet tone as possible.
Then they go with us2'
eyes
"'Where to--what placer
Providence, l believe"
Very WELL he said, in a quiet tone.
''By this time dark, heavy orsinous
cloud had gathered in the east. never
saw a cloud gathered as quickly and when
we left that station it was amidst the
thunder's roar and the lightning's fash.
The lightning fairly danced on the track
before US. The rain came down in tor
rents, and altogether it was very desc
late night.
Earl Wtndall pulled his engine wide
open, and she shot out like cannon ball.
Faster and faster we went, until the cars
jumped and ratified as though they we're
going to leave the track every minute. 1
hardly knew when we reached the first
station. We whizzed by like streak,
not checking in the least. The rain was
by this time binding. My hair fairly
stood on end. Earl, seeing how frighten
ed was gave a loud laugh, which chilled
me to the very marrow of my bones, |
understood him now. He intended TO
vun the train OF the track, if possible,
and let every soul on board parish. Be
fore / was aware of what he was doing
he had disappeared through the cab win
dow and was making for the head of the
engine. In another instant the head
light was out! He had turned it off, and
we were plunging into utter darkness at
the rate of thirty miles an hour!
Coming back into the engine with
his pistol in his hand to took his seat on
the box and gave himself mp to the most
hilario1s laughter. l made a spring to
MS side, with the intention of shutting
her off, but he slapped his cooked pistol
in my face, and cried;
"'Back, Tom, or you are dead mari
But, Earl l said you will run the
train off and the cause fearful destruc-
ton TO life and property"
L." THAT is what / want to do!' helscream-
ed, with another laugh.
"By this time the conductor, knowing
something wac wrong, came over the cars,
followed by two or three passengers,
among them Eubanks.
"'What is the luatterH asked the con
ductor as he sprang on to the engine.
" Stand back! shouted Earl, with his